Are you using social media as communication tool? LinkedIn is my social media platform of choice. With this platform you can easily identify and reach out to interesting professionals. Furthering these connections into meaningful conversations is not too hard.

After a LinkedIn exchange with Vince B., I invited him to share his Product Development experience.

In this time of healthcare transformation, the company that includes input from front-line staff, such as nurses, is the company that will win!

What is your company name?

Baiera Wellness Products

What problem does your company solve?

Product Development

When did you see Product Development as a problem that needed to be solved?

After searching for my passion, I decided to start a side business to develop products and bring them to market. I enjoyed nursing but I didn't see myself doing it for 40 years and being happy. I wanted to work on things that could have a greater overall impact and working in business allows you to do that.

Did the problem ever seem like it was bigger than you?

No! If other people had figured out a way to start a business then there was no reason why I couldn't do the exact same thing.

How did you know that you were uniquely positioned to solve this problem?

As nurses, we are professional problem solvers and critical thinkers. With my creative ability and strong work ethic, I knew that I could accomplish this goal.

What, if any, concerns are there related to nurses not knowing about nontraditional roles?

With a nursing degree, you can do so many things in the healthcare world and it's a great starting point to help you have success. The biggest piece of advice I give to people is to find something you love to do and then work (part-time) in becoming so good at it someone will pay you to do it. Then, learn what others are doing and model that to get similar results.

Some say, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." In terms of developing business relationships, do you agree with that statement? Please explain your rationale.

Yes and no. I agree that the stronger your network is, the more likely you'll have opportunities to make things happen. I also know that you don't need those relationships to get started. Once you start chasing your passion and put yourself in that ecosystem, it's much easier to make connections to relevant leaders in your space.

Tell us about your transition. What was the process of moving away from the clinical role into a business role?

I started with teaching at a nursing college in L.A. and then took a lower level sales role with a company to continue to learn the basics and grow my network. Look for a role with a company in the field that you wish to pursue.

What has been the hardest thing in starting in your specific type of business or job role?

Constant learning and self-education. You don't know what you don't know, and it takes years of learning to really be strong in that area. That's why I suggest starting part-time, finding someone successful to model and going from there.

What has been the most rewarding thing about being in your type of business or job role?

The learning and personal growth that I've achieved. Now that many of my products are in the market and I'm able to sell them to people all over the world, I'm having a global impact with people and it's way more exciting than anything I did at the bedside.

What would you say are the five most important resources (books, conferences associations) for a nurse who wants to explore business?

Let's talk legal stuff. Many nurses are afraid of this part of business. How did you address this in your business? How did you get past this concern?

Get advice from associates or people who have what you want, ask them what to do, pay for legal advice and then make it happen. If we can determine, assess and react to all the nitty-gritty details that come with nursing, you can perform all the legal stuff as well.

Who supported you during this transition? Did you have paid mentorship or coaching? If so, what made you make that investment?

No; after seeking out advice and taking action, eventually I surrounded myself with others who could mentor me in some ways but I never paid for it. There are times when it pays to (pay) a mentor but in the beginning, it's better to get an idea of what field you'd want to work in. Once you know that info, then you can decide if paying for a mentor makes the most sense.

What would you like others to know about what you do?

I develop products that help improve people's lives. One product is an assist device that helps reduce the risk of falls at the bedside (www.step2bed.com) and the other is an online learning program to teach others how to develop their product (www.milliondollarproduct.com)